cannabisnews.com: US Again Dismisses Lax Ganja Talks US Again Dismisses Lax Ganja Talks Posted by CN Staff on April 27, 2005 at 17:36:13 PT By Earl Moxam and Howard Campbell, Gleaner Writers Source: Jamaica Gleaner Jamaica -- The United States Government is maintaining its opposition to decriminalising the use of marijuana as is being contemplated in Jamaica. According to David Murray, the special assistant to the director of the Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP), this approach is a prescription for failure, which will only make the drug problems more complicated. He noted that the evidence against the proposal to decriminalise the personal use of ganja is now more convincing, citing the United Kingdom as one example where the proposal has failed."They said the experience has not worked. They are reclassifying marijuana ... it's dangerous and it impacts our society," he told The Gleaner.Mr. Murray also said a similar situation exists in Holland where ganja is said to be recognised in some cases as being progressive. But according to him, that country has seen unintended consequences prompting it to 'get away' from cannabis café and the distribution of cannabis among young people.Mr. Murray said there must be a rejection of all elements of the drug culture if society is to overcome the associated problems. STATEMENTS REBUFFEDIn the meantime, Professor Barry Chevannes, a member of the government-appointed National Ganja Commission (NGC), has rebuffed Mr. Murray's statements as "most unfortunate"."There is absolutely no substance to that argument decriminalisation will make things better," Dr. Chevannes told The Gleaner yesterday. "For example, no longer will youths be arrested for smoking."Last year the 15-member NGC submitted its report to the joint select committee of Parliament, which includes a recommendation for among other things the decriminalisation of small quantities of ganja.Professor Chevannes said the committee had approved all but one of the NGC's seven recommendations, the exception being the lifting of restrictions on persons and organisations that use the plant for religious purposes.Heading the list of recommendations was a request for an amendment of the law that sees private users, including minors, being prosecuted. The NGC recommends that minors be tried in petty sessions and, if fined, they leave court without a criminal record.The NGC was appointed in 2000 by Prime Minister P.J. Patterson. Professor Chevannes says there is absolutely no merit in Mr. Murray's arguments.Source: Jamaica Gleaner, The (Jamaica)Author: Earl Moxam and Howard Campbell, Gleaner WritersPublished: Wednesday, April 27, 2005Copyright: 2005 The Gleaner Company LimitedContact: feedback jamaica-gleaner.comWebsite: http://www.jamaica-gleaner.com/Related Articles:Decriminalisation of Ganja Could Hurt Jamaicahttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread17953.shtmlJamaica: Go Easy on Ganja Users, Says Report http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread17919.shtml Home Comment Email Register Recent Comments Help Comment #6 posted by potpal on April 27, 2005 at 21:43:46 PT Same old same old Rice pledges ongoing Colombia aid http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/americas/4492173.stm [ Post Comment ] Comment #5 posted by b4daylight on April 27, 2005 at 20:40:51 PT Debate? Comment #1 posted by mayan on April 27, 2005 at 18:08:06 PT good comment I say the same thingSo what does he see the drug war as a sucess story?Maybe it is his lack of insight or creativity why there is no sucsess, just the same old thing.He thinks we should lock up poor addicted people who are sick with addiction? I mean that is the opposite from decrimlization. Bravo [ Post Comment ] Comment #4 posted by Taylor121 on April 27, 2005 at 19:24:50 PT Decrim in the UK “Contrary to what Matt Robson might say, the reclassification of cannabis has not resulted in a rise in use amongst youth in the UK.” Said harm reduction campaigner, Duncan Eddy, of communityaction.Cannabis use by young people in the UK has remained stable following reclassification, and is down since April 1998. 28.2 per cent of UK 16-24 year olds used cannabis then compared to 24.8 per cent now. This reflects the Dutch experience, where moving from criminal sanctions to drug education has reduced cannabis consumption.UK police can now also focus on solving and preventing crimes against person and property. Cannabis reclassification has created an estimated saving in police time of 199,000 police hours.From: http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO0503/S00196.htmANDThere is no evidence to suggest cannabis use has increased in Northern Ireland a year after it was reclassified, the Government has said.From: http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/story.jsp?story=621357 [ Post Comment ] Comment #3 posted by ekim on April 27, 2005 at 18:24:07 PT dick cowan ---- Meanwhile prohibitionist propaganda has consequences: http://www.marijuananews.com/news.php3?sid=805 As Renee Boje reported in last month’s CC Schapelle Corby - 27-year-old Australian woman is facing a firing-squad sentence in Indonesia for smuggling marijuana she claims was planted in her luggage. Corby's plight has attracted support from Hollywood actor Russell Crowe, who says he was heartbroken by the sight of her tears on Australian newspaper front pages. snipped http://www.marijuananews.com [ Post Comment ] Comment #2 posted by The GCW on April 27, 2005 at 18:09:06 PT Evil = David Murray Evil = David Murray, the special assistant to the director of the Office of National Drug Control Policy.Loving one another (Jesus Christ's request in John 14-16 & 1 John) is the last thing on His mind.He is what Jesus Christ came to stop; the works of the devil. [ Post Comment ] Comment #1 posted by mayan on April 27, 2005 at 18:08:06 PT Prescription For Failure According to David Murray, the special assistant to the director of the Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP), this approach is a prescription for failure, which will only make the drug problems more complicated.A "prescription for failure"??? BWAAHAAAHAAAAHAAAA!!! Actually, that's a good description of America's war on some drugs!unrelated...Germany Wary of Dutch Dope Debate: http://www.dw-world.de/dw/article/0,,1566743,00.html?maca=en-rss_english_top-388-rdfMedical marijuana bill approved by House committee (AL) http://www.gadsdentimes.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20050427/APN/504270921When weed is just a weed (add comments): http://www.tribtown.com/main.asp?SectionID=1&SubSectionID=186&ArticleID=13717THE WAY OUT IS THE WAY IN...Griffin Speech "9/11 and the American Empire" Scheduled for Saturday on C-SPAN2!!! http://911citizenswatch.org/modules.php?op=modload&name=News&file=article&sid=531&mode=thread&order=0&thold=0 NY 911Truth to Sponsor Weekend Events -- Special Video Message from Congresswoman McKinney: http://911citizenswatch.org/modules.php?op=modload&name=News&file=article&sid=532&mode=thread&order=0&thold=0New Flight 175 Footage: No Pod? http://www.prisonplanet.com/articles/april2005/270405newfootage.htmStop the Lie - Defend America: http://stopthelie.com/9/11 Was an Inside Job - A Call to All True Patriots: http://www.911sharethetruth.com/ [ Post Comment ] Post Comment